System and method for providing ambient light to a display in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a device and method for providing backlight to a display in an electronic device. The device comprises: a housing; an ambient light collector; a backlight panel; a shutter; and a photodetector. The ambient light collector has: a body having the first end and a second end, which is located within the housing. The body receives ambient light from around the electronic device and transmits it to the second end. The body is shaped to direct the ambient light from the first end towards the second end and has a turn in it between the first and second ends. In the body, each conduit has an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being connected to the second end of the body, and each conduit extending downward and away from the second end.

This is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/258,112 filed Oct. 26, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,955.

The invention described herein relates to a system and method forenhancing the visibility of elements generated on a display in anelectronic device. In particular, the invention described herein relatesto using ambient light as a backlight for a display, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD) in an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current wireless handheld mobile communication devices perform a varietyof functions to enable mobile users to stay current with information andcommunications, such as e-mail, corporate data and organizer informationwhile they are away from their desks. A wireless connection to a serverallows a mobile communication device to receive updates to previouslyreceived information and communications. The handheld devices optimallyare lightweight, compact and use low amounts of power to facilitateusage by persons on the go. As such, the devices are portable and willbe used in a variety of environments, e.g. at the office, at home, in arestaurant, outside at night, outside during the day, etc. Such handhelddevices invariably have a display thereon to provide visual indicators(graphics, text, pictures, video etc.) generated by the device to auser. Frequently, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are used, as they arerelatively inexpensive devices and do not use an excessive amount ofpower. The displays are typically provided as a reflective, transmissiveor transreflective LCD panel.

However, reading displays on prior art devices can be difficult asambient conditions surrounding the device change. LCDs in particular usebacklighting to increase their readability. However, there may bedynamic ambient conditions where the backlight level should be increasedfor better readability or decreased for power savings. For example, if auser using a device having a non-reflective screen is first used in adarkened environment and then moves to a brighter ambient environment,the backlight level for the display may be too bright in the darkenedarea and not bright enough in the brighter area. There are existingprior art systems which adjust backlight conditions, however, theyrequire power to adjust backlight levels.

There is a need for a system and method which addresses deficiencies inthe prior art of adjusting the backlight level for a display in anelectronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an electronic device having ahousing, a display and a backlight system in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of certain internal components in the devicein FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of two of the devices of FIG. 1shown in use in a location having ambient lighting;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of exploded elementsof the device of FIG. 1 showing the housing, the display and thebacklight system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view ofexploded elements of the device of FIG. 1 showing the housing, thedisplay and the backlight system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view of adevice having a housing, a display, a backlight system and a reflectorfor the backlight system in accordance with another embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is schematic representation of a side cross-section view ofanother backlight system having a shutter in accordance with yet anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The description which follows and the embodiments described therein areprovided by way of illustration of an example or examples of particularembodiments of the principles of the present invention. These examplesare provided for the purposes of explanation and not limitation of thoseprinciples and of the invention. In the description which follows, likeparts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with thesame respective reference numerals.

In a first aspect of an embodiment, a method of providing backlight fora display in an electronic communication device is provided. The methodcomprises: collecting ambient light from outside the device through alens; transmitting the ambient light from the lens to a backlight systemfor the display; and dispersing the ambient light through the backlightsystem.

The method may further comprise: providing an active light to thebacklight system; and selectively blocking the active light from beingtransmitting out of the lens.

The method may further comprise providing a movable reflector to directthe ambient light towards the lens.

In a second aspect, an electronic device having backlighting for adisplay is provided. The device comprises: a housing for the display;and a backlight system for the display. The backlight system comprises:a lens to collect ambient light from outside the device; a backlightpanel in communication with the lens; and an active light systemconnected to the backlight panel. The panel is located within thehousing and underneath the display and the panel is adapted to dispersethe ambient light through the backlight panel.

The device may further comprise a reflector locatable about the lens toreflect additional ambient light into the lens. Also, the reflector maybe mounted to the housing. Also, the reflector may be movable from firstposition covering the lens to a second position reflecting theadditional ambient light into the lens.

Alternatively, the device may have a shutter locatable between theactive light system and an exterior end of the lens, the shutterproviding a barrier for light from the active light system from beingtransmitted out of the lens. In the device, the shutter may comprise aliquid crystal element.

In the device, the collector may comprise a lens connected to a bodyconnected to a light conduit, wherein the lens is locatable in theopening of the housing and the light conduit connects to the backlightpanel.

In the device, the lens, body and light conduit may be are shaped tochannel light towards the anterior end of the light conduit.

In the device, the anterior end of the ambient light collector maycorrespond to an end of the light conduit.

In the device, the active light system and the anterior end of theambient light collector may be connected to the top end of the backlightpanel.

In another aspect, an electronic device providing backlighting for adisplay is provided. The device comprises: a housing for the display andthe device, the housing having a first opening for the display and asecond opening; an ambient light collector; a backlight panel having abody shaped with a first end and a top, the first end connected to lightconduits of the ambient light collector at its lower end, the panelallowing the ambient light to be received from the light conduit and tobe transmitted out through the top towards the display; activebacklights selectively providing light to the backlight panel; a shutterlocatable between the active lights and a first end of the ambient lightcollector, the shutter selectively providing a barrier for blockinglight from the active backlights from being transmitted out of theambient light collector; and a photodetector to detect the ambient lightand to provide a signal to control positioning of the shutter. Theambient light collector has: a body having the first end and a secondend, the body located within the housing with the first end located inthe second opening of the housing, the body receiving ambient light fromaround the electronic device at the first end and transmitting theambient light to the second end, the body shaped to direct the ambientlight from the first end towards the second end, the body having a turnin it between the first and second ends, the first end of the bodyshaped to be flush in the second opening of the housing when the body isinstalled in the device; and light conduits that extend from the secondend, each conduit having an upper end and a lower end, the upper endconnected to the second end of the body, and each conduit extendingdownward and away from the second end. The backlight panel has a bodyshaped with a first end and a top, the first end is connected to theeach conduit at its lower end, the panel allows the ambient light to bereceived from the light conduits and to be transmitted out through thetop towards the display.

In other aspects various combinations of sets and subsets of the aboveaspects are provided.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device for receiving electroniccommunications in accordance with an embodiment of the invention isindicated generally at 10. In the embodiment, electronic device 10 isbased on a computing platform having functionality of an enhancedpersonal digital assistant with cellphone and e-mail features. However,it will be understood that electronic device 10 can be based onconstruction design and functionality of other electronic devices, suchas smart telephones, desktop computers pagers or laptops havingtelephony equipment. In the embodiment, electronic device 10 includes, ahousing 12, which frames a LCD 14, speaker 16, and LED indicator 19, atrackwheel 20, an ESC (“escape”) key 22, keypad 24 and a telephoneheadset comprised of an ear bud 26 and a microphone 28. Trackwheel 20and ESC key 22 can be inwardly depressed along the path of arrow “A” asa means to provide additional user-input. Device 10 also has backlightsystem 30, which operates to provide ambient light from external lightsource 32 to the interior of device 10 to provide backlighting todisplay 14.

It will be understood that housing 12 can be made from any suitablematerial as will occur to those of skill in the art and may be suitablyformed to house and hold all components of device 10.

Device 10 is operable to conduct wireless telephone calls, using anyknown wireless phone system such as a Global System for MobileCommunications (“GSM”) system, Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”)system, Cellular Digital Packet Data (“CDPD”) system and Time DivisionMultiple Access (“TDMA”) system. Other wireless phone systems caninclude Bluetooth and the many forms of 802.11 wireless broadband, like802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, etc. that can support voice. Otherembodiments include Voice over IP (VoIP) type streaming datacommunications that can simulate circuit switched phone calls. Ear bud26 can be used to listen to phone calls and other sound messages andmicrophone 28 can be used to speak into and input sound messages todevice 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, functional elements of device 10 are provided. Thefunctional elements are generally electronic, structural orelectromechanical devices. In particular, microprocessor 18 is providedto control and receive almost all data, transmissions, inputs andoutputs related to device 10. Microprocessor 18 is shown as beingcoupled to keypad 24, display 14 and other internal devices.Microprocessor 18 controls the operation of the display 14, as well asthe overall operation of the device 10, in response to actuation of keyson the keypad 24 by a user. Exemplary microprocessors for microprocessor18 include Data 950 (trade-mark) series microprocessors and the 6200series microprocessors, all available from Intel Corporation.

In addition to the microprocessor 18, other internal devices of thedevice 10 are shown in FIG. 2. These include: a communication subsystem100; a short-range communication subsystem 102; keypad 24 and display14, with other input/output devices including a set of auxiliary I/Odevices 106, a serial port 108, a speaker 16 and a microphone port 112for microphone 28; as well as memory devices including a flash memory116 (which provides persistent storage of data) and random access memory(RAM) 118; clock 120 and other device subsystems (not shown). The device10 is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communication devicehaving voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, device 10preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systemsvia the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 18 ispreferably stored in a computer readable medium, such as flash memory116, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as readonly memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, systemsoftware, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 118. Communicationsignals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 118.

Microprocessor 18, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on device 10. A set ofsoftware applications 130 that control basic device operations, such asa voice communication module 130A and a data communication module 130B,may be installed on the device 10 during manufacture or downloadedthereafter. Cell mapping module 130C may also be installed on device 10during manufacture. As well, additional software modules, illustrated asan other software module 130N, which may be, for instance, a personalinformation manager (PIM) application, may be installed duringmanufacture or downloaded thereafter into device 10. PIM application ispreferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mailmessages, calendar events, voice mail messages, appointments, and taskitems. Data associated with each application can be stored in flashmemory 116.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communication subsystem 100 and the short-rangecommunication subsystem 102. Collectively, subsystem 102 and subsystem100 provide the signal-level interface for all communicationtechnologies processed by device 10. Various applications 130 providethe operational controls to further process and log the communications.Communication subsystem 100 includes receiver 150, transmitter 152 andone or more antennas, illustrated as receive antenna 154 and transmitantenna 156. In addition, communication subsystem 100 also includesprocessing module, such as digital signal processor (DSP) 158 and localoscillators (LOs) 160. The specific design and implementation ofcommunication subsystem 100 is dependent upon the communication networkin which device 10 is intended to operate. For example, communicationsubsystem 100 of the device 10 may be designed to operate with theMobitex (trade-mark), DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet RadioService (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed tooperate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such asAdvanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access CDMA, Personal CommunicationService (PCS), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Othertypes of data and voice (telephonic) networks, both separate andintegrated, may also be utilized with device 10. In any event,communication subsystem 100 provides device 10 with the capability ofcommunicating with other devices using various communicationtechnologies, including instant messaging (IM) systems, text messaging(TM) systems and short message service (SMS) systems.

In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 158 providescontrol of receiver 150 and transmitter 152. For example, gains appliedto communication signals in receiver 150 and transmitter 152 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithmsimplemented in DSP 158.

In a data communication mode a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 100and is provided as an input to microprocessor 18. The received signal isthen further processed by microprocessor 18 which can then generate anoutput to the display 14 or to an auxiliary I/O device 106. A deviceuser may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using keypad24, a thumbwheel associated with keypad 24, and/or some other auxiliaryI/O device 106, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a separatethumbwheel or some other input device. The composed data items may thenbe transmitted over communication network 140 via communicationsubsystem 100. Subsystem 100 may also detect when it is out ofcommunication range for its remote systems.

In a voice communication mode, overall operation of device 10 issubstantially similar to the data communication mode, except thatreceived signals are output to speaker 16 and signals for transmissionare generated by microphone 28. Alternative voice or audio I/Osubsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also beimplemented on device 10. In addition, display 14 may also be utilizedin voice communication mode for example to display the identity of acalling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call relatedinformation.

Short-range communication subsystem 102 enables communication betweendevice 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need notnecessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunication subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems anddevices.

Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communicationdevice is power source 170. Preferably, the power source 170 includesone or more batteries. More preferably, the power source 170 is a singlebattery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack. A power switch(not shown) provides an “on/off” switch for device 10. Upon activationof the power switch an application 130 is initiated to turn on device10. Upon deactivation of the power switch, an application 130 isinitiated to turn off device 10. Power to device 10 may also becontrolled by other devices and by software applications 130.

During operation of one or more applications 130, various text andgraphics are generated and displayed on display 14. To enhancereadability of the elements generated thereon, backlight system 30provides backlighting to display 14. Light for backlight system 30 isobtained from internally generated light from controlled light sourcesand from ambient light 32 collected from the environment around device10. Light from both sources are collected and channelled to theappropriate back sections of display 14 using lighting conduits. Furtherdetail on backlight system 30 is provided below.

Referring to FIG. 3, ambient environment 300 is shown wherein twodevices 10A and 10B of an embodiment are being used by persons 302A and302B respectively. Ambient light source 32 is located between persons302A and 302B; source 32 is may be the sun or a mounted artificiallight. Device 10A is located between person 302A and ambient lightsource 32. Person 302B is located between device 10B and ambient lightsource 32. Even in environment 300, devices 10A and 10B have differentlighting situations, providing different visibility conditions for theirrespective displays 14A and 14B. As display 14A of device 10A faces awayfrom source 32, person 302A is viewing display 14A with indirectreflected light from source 32. Display 14B receives direct light fromsource 32. Indirect light from source 32 is less bright than directlight. As such, the ambient contrast for display 14A is better than thecontrast for display 14B, making display 14A easier to read.

Generally, there are two methods of improving the ambient contrast for adisplay, such as display 14A and 14B: either decrease its ambient lightor increase its backlighting. Backlighting provides a light sourceemanating from behind a transmissive display (such as an LCD). Knownbacklighting systems utilize powered light sources. However, suchsources consume battery power. The embodiment collects and redirectsambient light, such as light from source 32, as a backlight for itsdisplay.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 further aspects of an embodiment are shown.In particular, backlight system 30 has three main sections: ambientlight collector section 402; active light generator section 404 andbacklight panel 406. Both the ambient light collector section 402 andthe active light generator section 404 are connected to the panel 406.The connections linking sections 402 and 404 to panel 406 provide aphysical transmission channel for light to be transmitted from eithersection to the panel 406. Ambient light collector section 402 collectsambient light from outside of device 10 and transmits the collectedambient light to backlight panel 406. Active light generator section 404houses light sources 408 and transmits light generated by the activelight sources 408 to backlight panel 406. Backlight panel 406distributes the light received from sections 402 and 404 and dispersesit through the back panel of display 14, through its panels, providingbacklighting to display 14. Generally, to assist in the transmission oflight, ambient light collector section 402 and backlight panel 406 areeach a shaped volume that collects light energy at one end, transmitsthe energy “forward” through an internal channel in the volume andprovides the transmitted light energy out a second end. Each section maybe formed from a transparent or translucent material, allowing light tobe transmitted forward within its volume. Clear plastic or lexan(trade-mark) may be used to form light transmissive sections ofbacklight system 30. The interior sides of the sections may be coatedwith a light reflective material in order to assist in the internaltransmission of the light energy. Further, dimensions, angles andcontours within the sections may be formed to facilitate the forwardtransmission of the light energy and to reduce the amount of lightreflected backwards towards the source following known lighttransmission principles. Arrows 410 show a general path of ambient lightreceived by ambient light collector section 410 as the light istransmitted through the sections of backlight system 30 and then throughdisplay 14. Further detail on each section is provided below.

Ambient light section 402 comprises lens 414, body section 416 and lighttransmission conduits 418, forming one integral body. Each section maybe formed separately, then joined, melted or welded together at themating seams of the sections using techniques known in the art. Havingan integral body is preferable, as there can be loss of light energy asa light is transmitted between through boundaries between sections. Whendevice 10 is assembled, ambient light collector section fits into upperhousing 12A such that lens 414 mates with opening 412 in upper housing12A. Opening 412 spans a top portion of upper housing 12A along itsfront face and top edge. In the embodiment, lens 414 is generally anoblong body, having a flat upper surface which mates with opening 412.Body section 416 is a shaped oblong. Lens 414 is located at one end ofthe shaped oblong. Exterior surfaces of body section 416 are defined toreflect light received from lens 414 through body section 416. In theembodiment, a lower surface of the shaped oblong underneath lens 414 isshaped to provide a taper to allow light received through lens 414 to bedirected through a turn towards the length of the body of section 416.At the end of body section 416 are two further tapers 432 which collectthe received light and concentrate it towards light transmissionconduits 418. Light transmission conduits 418 are generally columniform.Each conduit is attached at a downward cant to tapers 432, allowing thetransmitted ambient light to be further bent and directed towardsbacklight panel 406. The exterior ends of transmission conduits 418 aremated against pads 420 of backlight panel 406. It will be appreciatedthat in other embodiments a different number of conduits 418 may beprovided. Alternatively, the conduits may be removed.

Upper opening 412 is located above opening 430 in housing 12A. As such,when device 10 is being held generally upright, lens 414 is also facinggenerally upwardly, thereby placing it in a favourable orientation toreceive ambient light when device 10 is being held in a generallyupright manner. Lens 414 may be mounted at other locations in device 10,such as on the front, below display 14, on a side of device 10 or on theback of device 10. The specific location will have different lightcollecting characteristics, depending on the orientation of device 10.In other embodiments, several lens may be provided in differentlocations on device 10. As noted above, the general purpose of ambientlight collector section 402 is to receive light through lens 414 andtransmit it to backlight section 406. As such, in other embodiments,different shapes, numbers and sizes for each part of each section may beprovided, as long as the light section has the capability of collectingambient light and transmitting it towards a backlight panel for adisplay.

Active light section 404 has two LEDs 408 mounted on platform 422. Theelectronic control circuit controlling LEDs 408 is not shown. LEDs 408provide an active light source for backlight system 30. In otherembodiments, other technologies may be used for the active light source,such as lamps, and a different number of LEDs may be used. Whenbacklight system is assembled, LEDs 408 are mated to complementarycavities 424 in backlight panel 406 to make a generally snug fit withinbacklight panel 406. When LEDs 408 are activated by the control circuit,the light energy emitted therefrom enters backlight panel 406, which isthen transmitted through LCD 14. The light path is generally shown byarrows 410.

Backlight panel 406 is a light spreading panel which is shaped to mateagainst the back face of display 14. It is shown in this embodiment asbeing generally oblong; however, other shapes may be implemented. Lightreceived from either ambient light collector section 402 throughtransmission pads 420 or LEDs 408 through cavities 422 is received intothe interior of panel 406 then is dispersed within panel 406 and thentransmitted to display 14 through top surface 426. Panel 406 may haveinterior features to reflect light upward. Panel 406 may have a taperedblock construction and may have approximately a trapezoidal form to moreevenly distribute the light throughout top surface 426.

Display 14 is a preferably full-colour device. More preferably, display14 is a field sequential (FS) LCD—an LCD that reduces or obviates a needfor colour filters. Alternatively, the LCD may contain colour filters inwhich case a white light source may be used. In FIGS. 4 and 5, theelectronics controlling display 14 are not shown. Different types ofLCDs 14 have different light transmission/reflection properties. If thesurface of LCD 14 is more reflective, e.g. via a reflective coating, itgenerally has good ambient light readability. If the surface of LCD 14is more transmissive, then more light can pass through it (in bothdirections). This characteristic generally produces a darker image,requiring backlighting to improve readability. Current systemsincorporating backlighting for LCDs provide lighting of at least about100 candella in light intensity. The amount of light provided by ambientlight collector section 402 will vary on the intensity of the ambientlight around device 10 and the positioning of device 10 relative tosection 402 therein. When mounted into device 10, display 14 is placedbehind clear protective cover 428 and is mounted to mate with cavity 430in housing 12A. Backlight panel 406 is positioned immediately underneathdisplay 14, such that surface 426 is placed against or near the bottomsurface 430 of display 14. After all sections of backlight system 30 areassembled, housing 12B is mated to housing 12A to enclose display 14 andbacklight system 30 within device 10. In other embodiments, LEDs 408 maybe situated on a side or on the bottom of panel 406.

Referring to FIG. 6 another embodiment is shown comprising device 10with backlight system 30 and lens 414 in opening 412. To assist incollecting further ambient light into lens 414, reflector 434 isprovided as an moveable reflector to reflect towards lens 414 some lightenergy that would otherwise not be directed towards it. Generally,reflector 434 is a generally flat flap having an interior surface 436which is reflective. Reflector 434 is attached to device 10 at its lowerend through hinge 438 and is rotatable through from a first positionwhere it is resting flat against the top cover of device 10, through aplurality of positions along arc 440. Distal end of reflector 434 may begrabbed as reflector 434 is rotated. Alternately, reflector 434 may beattached to dial 442 in housing 12 through a rod or gearing mechanismknown in the art. As dial 442 is rotated, reflector 434 is rotatedthrough its positions. Side reflectors 444 with slits 446 in housing 12may be provided as well. In other embodiments, other shapes forreflectors may be provided, including reflectors which expand in area asthey are deployed by having additional flaps attached to parts of thereflector. One or more surfaces on reflector 434 may be concave in shapeto further concentrate light towards lens 414. Other reflectors may beplaced in other location on device 10, such as on the front. It ispreferable to have the reflector located in relatively close proximityto its associated lens 414. Other embodiments of reflector 434 may beattached to device 10 in other mechanical systems. For example, areflector be extended from a slot in device 10. Alternatively, areflector may be detachable from device 10. One or more reflectors maybe placed on device 10. In other embodiments, the shape of housing 12may be formed to provide a surface which will reflect some ambient lightinto lens 414, through a ridge, hump, or raised section on housing 12.

Referring to FIG. 7 another embodiment is shown comprising device 10with backlight system 30. In order to enhance operation of active lightgenerator section 404, shutter 448 is provided to prevent lightgenerated from light section 404 from emanating out from lens 412 ofambient light collector section 402. Shutter 448 is preferablyreflective on its side 450 facing active light generator section 404.Shutter 448 may be located almost anywhere between light section 404 andambient light collector section 402 or even within ambient lightcollector section 402. Shutter 448 may be removable (e.g. it may bemechanically or manually raised, lowered or moved into position) or itmay a selectively transmissive device, such as an electronicallycontrolled shutter, such as an liquid crystal (LC) shutter. As shown,exterior ends of conduits 418 of ambient light collector section 402abut against face 452 of shutter 448. LED 408 of active section 404 isshown in situ within cavity 424 of backlight panel 406. Other elementsof active section 404 are not shown. Shutter 448 is shown as implementedas an LC in a screen wherein, when activated, elements of the LC in thescreen are energized to form an opaque region, blocking light fromtransmitting from active light generator section 404 through the shutterand out of the lens. Control for the shutter may be provided throughsoftware operating an electronic controller. A photodetector may also beprovided in device 10 to provide an indicator of how much ambient lightis present and, based on that information, whether to activate ordeactivate the shutter.

The present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto, with theforegoing description being merely illustrative of a preferredembodiment of the invention. Those of ordinary skill may envisagecertain modifications to the foregoing embodiments which, although notexplicitly discussed herein, do not depart from the scope of theinvention, as defined by the appended claims.

1. An ambient light collector to provide ambient light to a backlightsystem for a display of a portable electronic device, comprising: anintegral body having a first end and a second end, said body forinstallation into said device, for collecting said ambient light fromoutside said device, for receiving ambient light from around saidelectronic device at said first end and for transmitting andconcentrating said ambient light within said body to said second end;and a plurality of conduits for receiving said ambient light from saidsecond end and for transmitting said ambient light away from said secondend of said body, each conduit of said plurality of conduits having anupper end and a lower end, said upper end connected to said second endof said body, and said each conduit extending downward and away fromsaid second end.
 2. The ambient light collector for a backlight systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower end of said each conduit isshaped to mate with a backlight panel of said backlight system totransmit said ambient light from said each conduit to said backlightpanel.
 3. The ambient light collector for a backlight system as claimedin claim 2, wherein said first end of said body is shaped to be flush inan opening in a housing of said device when said body is installed insaid device.
 4. The ambient light collector for a backlight system asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said body is shaped to direct said ambientlight from said first end towards said second end.
 5. The ambient lightcollector for a backlight system as claimed in claim 4, wherein saidbody has a turn in it between said first and second ends.
 6. The ambientlight collector for a backlight system as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid body is coated with a light reflective material to assist in theinternal transmission of said ambient light in said body.
 7. The ambientlight collector for a backlight system as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid each conduit tapers in width in a section between said upper end tosaid lower end.
 8. The ambient light collector for a backlight system asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said each conduit has a rectangular crosssection.
 9. A backlight system for a display of a portable electronicdevice, comprising: an ambient light collector having: a body having afirst end and a second end, said body receiving ambient light fromaround said electronic device at said first end and transmitting saidambient light to said second end; and a plurality of light conduitsextending from said second end, each conduit of said plurality ofconduits having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end connectedto said second end of said body and said each conduit extending downwardand away from said second end; a backlight panel having a body shapedwith a first end and atop, said first end connected to said each conduitat its lower end, said panel allowing said ambient light to be receivedfrom said plurality of light conduits and to be transmitted out throughsaid top towards said display; a plurality of active backlightsselectively providing light to said backlight panel; a shutter locatablebetween said plurality of active backlights and said first end of saidambient light collector, said shutter selectively providing a barrierfor blocking light from said plurality of active backlights from beingtransmitted out of said first end of said ambient light collector; and aphotodetector to detect said ambient light and to provide a signal tocontrol positioning of said shutter.
 10. The backlight system for adisplay of a portable electronic device as claimed in claim 9, whereinsaid plurality of active backlights are located about said first end ofsaid backlight panel.
 11. The backlight system for a display of aportable electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said firstend of said backlight panel comprises apertures to receive saidplurality of active backlights.
 12. The backlight system for a displayof a portable electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein oneaperture of said apertures is located beside an area on said first sidewhere said lower end connects with said first side of said backlightpanel.
 13. The backlight system for a display of a portable electronicdevice as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of activebacklights form part of a module that is mounted in place about saidbacklight panel.
 14. The backlight system for a display of a portableelectronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said module having saidplurality of backlights is mounted on a printed circuit board with saidbacklight panel.
 15. The backlight system for a display of a portableelectronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said body is shaped todirect said ambient light from said first end towards said second endand said body has a turn in it between said first and second ends. 16.The backlight system for a display of a portable electronic device asclaimed in claim 9, wherein said each conduit tapers in width in asection between said upper end to said lower end.
 17. The backlightsystem for a display of a portable electronic device as claimed in claim9, wherein said first end of said body is shaped to be flush in anopening in a housing of said device when said body is installed in saiddevice.
 18. The backlight system for a display of a portable electronicdevice as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a reflector locatableabout said ambient light collector to reflect additional ambient lightinto said ambient light collector, said reflector mounted to a housingof said electronic device.
 19. An electronic device providingbacklighting for a display, comprising: a housing for said display andsaid device, having a first opening for said display and a secondopening; an ambient light collector having: a body having a first endand a second end, said body located within said housing with said firstend located in said second opening of said housing, said body receivingambient light from around said electronic device at said first end andtransmitting said ambient light to said second end, said body shaped todirect said ambient light from said first end towards said second end,said body having a turn in it between said first and second ends, saidfirst end of said body shaped to be flush in said second opening of saidhousing when said body is installed in said device; and a plurality oflight conduits extending from said second end, each conduit of saidplurality of conduits having an upper end and a lower end, said upperend connected to said second end of said body, and said each conduitextending downward and away from said second end; a backlight panelhaving a body shaped with a first end and atop, said first end connectedto said each conduit at its lower end, said panel allowing said ambientlight to be received from said plurality of light conduits and to betransmitted out through said top towards said display; a plurality ofactive backlights selectively providing light to said backlight panel; ashutter locatable between said active light system and said first end ofsaid ambient light collector, said shutter selectively providing abarrier for blocking light from said plurality of active backlights frombeing transmitted out of said ambient light collector; and aphotodetector to detect said ambient light and to provide a signal tocontrol positioning of said shutter.